3-Day Private Horseback Riding and Hiking Tour in Kolsay

Three days, two lakes, one wild ride. This private Kolsay tour mixes horseback travel, hiking, simple camping, and local food in the Kungey Alatau mountains. I like the remote route away from crowded places and the chance to share the trip with horse breeders who know the mountain trails. I also like the warm, careful guiding associated with Darya and her team. The main drawback is the price: $1,900 per person is a serious sum for three days, even with transport, meals, horses, and lodging included.

The trip begins with a 6:00 a.m. pickup in Almaty and a long 285-kilometer drive to Kurmenty village. You should expect full days, basic mountain accommodation, and changing weather. A moderate fitness level is required, and you must bring your own sleeping bag and suitable outdoor clothing.

Key things to know before you book

• A local food stop starts the trip: Baiseit offers tandyr bread, samsa, lagman, shashlyk, fruit, and vegetables for the mountain journey.
• The route uses both horses and hiking: You ride toward Middle Kolsay Lake, then walk back toward the lower lake.
• The setting is deliberately wild: The route aims to avoid crowded, highly developed tourist areas.
• Accommodation is simple: One night is in a mountain hut, with tent space also included in the program.
• Darya and her guiding team receive strong praise: Care, safety, food, and mountain judgment are repeated strengths.
• Pack a sleeping bag and outdoor clothing: Neither is included, and snacks, insurance, and alcohol are also your responsibility.

Why this Kolsay trip feels different

Kolsay Lakes are among Kazakhstan’s best-known mountain sights, but this experience is not built around a quick photo stop and a return to Almaty. The point is to move slowly through the mountains, first on horseback and then on foot, with nights in basic mountain accommodation and tents.

That makes the trip a better fit for you if you want time outdoors rather than a polished resort outing. You will spend long hours on trails, cross small mountain passes, and watch the scenery change as you move between the lakes. The program also adds a useful cultural touch through the Baiseit food market and the nomadic style of traveling with horses, simple meals, and camp life.

The private format matters. Only your group takes part, so the pace and atmosphere should feel more personal than a large bus excursion. The available information does not give a fixed maximum group size, so ask about party arrangements if you are booking alone or with a very small group.

The 6:00 a.m. start and the road to Kurmenty

Your day begins at Magnum Hypermarket on Demyan Bednogo Street in Almaty. Pickup is offered, and the scheduled start is early, at 6:00 a.m. That is useful for covering the long distance, but you should be ready for a tiring first day before the actual riding begins.

The drive to Kurmenty village is about 285 kilometers by SUV or minibus. The vehicle is private, and transportation is included in the price. Still, this is not a short transfer. If you do not enjoy long road journeys, the first day may feel more like an approach expedition than a sightseeing day.

The stop in Baiseit helps break up the trip. This Uigur village is known for its market and local food. You can look for fresh fruit and vegetables, buy bread, and see foods such as samsa, chebureki, lagman, shashlyk, tandyr bread, and onion bread.

I like this stop because it serves a real purpose. You are not only looking at a village through a vehicle window. You can pick up fresh supplies for the mountain portion and get a taste of local cooking before heading into the wilderness. The food selection may also be more appealing than relying only on packed tour meals.

Arrival in Kurmenty comes later in the day, with the first day listed at about 12 hours. You should treat Day 1 as a travel day with a local food break, not as a relaxed warm-up.

Day 2: Riding toward Middle Kolsay Lake

After breakfast and preparations, you set out on horseback toward Middle Kolsay Lake. The route from the mountain hut passes over two small passes. In clear weather, you may see wide mountain views along the way, with the lakes and surrounding peaks providing the main reward.

The schedule gives this day about nine hours. That is a long outdoor day, even with horses carrying much of the effort. You still need to be comfortable sitting in a saddle for extended periods, handling uneven trails, and getting on and off the horse as needed.

The horse portion is one of the most distinctive parts of the trip. You are not simply visiting Kolsay and posing beside a horse. Horses are your main way through the mountain route, supported by horse breeders who provide the animals and assistance. This gives the trip a stronger connection to traditional mountain travel.

One practical point comes from the feedback about the horses: some can be lazy. That is not necessarily a problem, but you should not expect a fast, athletic ride. The pace may be steady and unhurried, which suits a scenic mountain trip but may frustrate you if you want speed or a highly active riding experience.

The guide team is a major part of the experience. Darya is repeatedly praised for her care, energy, concern for safety, and attention to comfort. Gulnaz and Alex are also associated with the wider guiding operation. The available information does not identify which guide leads every departure, so confirm your guide when booking.

Middle Kolsay, two passes, and changing weather

The trail through the passes is likely to be the visual high point of the riding day, but the exact views depend on weather. On a clear day, you may see striking mountain scenery. Cloud, rain, or poor visibility can change the feel of the route and may lead to a date change or cancellation.

This is a trip where weather is not a minor inconvenience. The operator requires suitable conditions, and if bad weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from being sent into unsafe mountain conditions, though it means your schedule needs some flexibility.

The route description uses both Upper Kolsai and Middle Kolsai in its wording. The actual details explain riding from the hut to Middle Kolsay Lake over two small passes, while Day 3 covers the path toward Lower Kolsay. If reaching Upper Kolsay is important to you, clarify the precise route before paying.

Meals are included throughout the trip: two breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners. That is valuable in a remote setting, where carrying and preparing food can add work. Feedback also highlights good nutrition, so you should expect the meal plan to be treated as part of the service rather than an afterthought.

Snacks are not included. Bring your own supply, especially for the long riding and walking days. If you want to use fresh mountain water, one useful tip is to carry a water filter. The tour does not list a filter among its equipment, and personal snacks remain your responsibility.

Day 3: Walking from Middle Kolsay toward Lower Kolsay

The third day begins with breakfast, packing, and a hike back toward Middle Kolsay Lake. From there, you follow the trail toward Lower Kolsay, also called First Kolsay Lake. A snack and tea stop is planned near the middle lake before continuing toward the lower lake.

The day is listed at about eight hours. Unlike Day 2, this section places the emphasis on walking, so your knees, feet, and general stamina matter. Trekking poles are included, which is a helpful detail on uneven or downhill ground. Use them from the start rather than waiting until you feel tired.

The change from riding to hiking gives the trip a good rhythm. Horses help you cover the more demanding approach, then walking lets you pay closer attention to the trail and scenery. You will need to be comfortable with the fact that this is not a short lakeside stroll.

The description does not give exact distances, elevation figures, or trail difficulty for each section. That is worth asking about, especially if you have limited mountain experience. The stated requirement is moderate physical fitness, but eight to nine hours outdoors can feel demanding even on a well-marked route.

Mountain huts, tents, and what you must pack

Accommodation is intentionally basic. The package includes a mountain hut, a place in a tent, and a sleeping pad. It does not include a sleeping bag, so bring one suitable for mountain nights.

This setup is part of the appeal if you enjoy simple outdoor travel. You trade hotel comfort for a closer connection to the mountains and less time spent around built-up tourist facilities. You should also expect limited comforts, shared or basic arrangements, and a need to keep your personal kit organized.

Outdoor clothing is not included. Pack layers, rain protection, sturdy footwear, and clothing suited to cool mountain weather. The supplied information does not specify a packing list or rental service, so do not assume that clothing or technical gear will be provided.

Insurance is also excluded. Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses are extra. The tour does include horses, horse breeder services, guides, transport, food, taxes, accommodation, a sleeping pad, and trekking poles, which keeps the package from becoming a long list of small add-on costs.

Is $1,900 per person a fair price?

The price is $1,900 per person, and that is the biggest decision point. It is expensive for a three-day trip, especially if you compare it with a standard day tour to Kolsay Lakes.

The value improves if you would otherwise need to arrange a private vehicle for the 285-kilometer approach, horse rental, horse handlers, mountain lodging, meals, a guide, camping equipment, and route planning. Those services are bundled here, and the private format gives your group a more personal outing.

You are also paying for access to a less crowded route and for the logistics of moving through a remote mountain area. That can be worth a lot if your priority is an unusual, guided outdoor experience rather than the lowest possible price.

Still, I would not call this a bargain. You pay extra for privacy, organization, horses, and a more remote style of travel. If your budget is tight, compare the cost with other multi-day mountain options in Kazakhstan and ask exactly how many people will share the guiding and horse support.

Group discounts are available, which could make the price easier to justify for families or friends. The private format may also suit you better than joining a mixed departure, particularly if your group has a specific pace or comfort level.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy long days outside, can handle basic accommodation, and want Kazakhstan mountains in a slower, more personal way. It suits people who like horses, hiking, local food, and the practical side of camping.

It can also work well for a solo visitor if the operator can place you with a suitable private group arrangement. One solo participant had a positive experience joining other people on the longer mountain trip, but this specific product is described as private, so clarify the arrangement before booking.

Families can enjoy it too, provided everyone meets the moderate fitness requirement. A family group made strong memories around the lakes, but children must be comfortable with hours on horseback and on foot.

I would be cautious if you want luxury, precise comfort standards, short transfers, or a guaranteed fast ride. I would also think twice if you dislike early starts, uncertain mountain weather, or carrying personal outdoor gear.

The experience is booked, on average, 71 days ahead. That suggests you should plan well in advance, especially if your dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes inside that period are not refunded. The end point is back at the original meeting point in Almaty.

Should you book the Kolsay horseback and hiking tour?

Book it if you want a small-scale mountain adventure with horses, long walks, local food, and basic nights away from the busiest tourist areas. The caring guide service, good meals, safety focus, and striking mountain views make a strong case.

Do not book it simply because you want to see Kolsay Lakes cheaply. At $1,900 per person, this is a specialized experience, not a budget excursion. Ask about the exact Upper and Middle Kolsay route, group size, sleeping arrangements, and clothing needs before you commit.

For the right person, the cost buys more than scenery. It buys time in the mountains, a horse-supported route, and a chance to experience Kazakhstan outdoors with a capable local team.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Magnum Hypermarket, 3 Demyan Bednogo Street, Almaty 050018, Kazakhstan.

What time does pickup begin?

The scheduled start time is 6:00 a.m.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends back at the original meeting point in Almaty.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately three days.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation is included, with travel by SUV or minibus to Kurmenty village.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes two breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners.

Is horseback riding included?

Yes. Horse rental and horse breeder services are included.

Do I need to bring a sleeping bag?

Yes. A sleeping bag is not included. A sleeping pad is provided, along with a place in a tent and accommodation in a mountain hut.

What level of fitness is required?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The program includes about nine hours on Day 2 and about eight hours of hiking on Day 3.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the tour, you will be offered another date or a full refund.